Japan’s Kazuki Higa and Ian Snyman from South Africa were paired together in the penultimate group on a gripping Sunday at the New Zealand Open last year.

The Asian Tour duo narrowly fell short of winning, after finishing tied for second – one shot behind Ryan Peake from Australia.

However, for both players, the disappointment of just missing out was outweighed by being at the heart of the action in an event – which features a Pro-Am component – that they both agree is of one their favourites on Tour.

“So, there’s a lot of history in the New Zealand Open which is attractive to the Japanese pros coming here as well as the amateurs,” said Higa, speaking at a press conference with Snyman this week.

“And with the unique format of combining the professionals and the amateurs together, it adds a special sort of ambience and flavour to the tournament, and it’s quite different to what they have in other countries.”

Millbrook Resort, the popular venue for the event since 2014, is set in a stunning alpine amphitheatre. It spans 650 acres of the Wakatipu Basin – a glacial valley bordered by the Crown Range, The Remarkables mountains and Lake Wakatipu.

Ian Snyman.

It’s one of the most beautiful settings in the game.

Added reigning Asian Tour Order of Merit champion Higa: “Of course, the scenery is outstanding, and that’s attractive to the players and their partners, too. For a lot of the players, the chance to come to New Zealand, to come to Queenstown and to play here, is what they really look forward to.”

Snyman, who also finished equal sixth here two years ago, there are multiple reasons why he has fallen in love with the place.

“There are quite a few reasons for me, personally. My first year, I got introduced to the host family. We’ve just made this trip so memorable,” he said.

“I played with a beekeeper hat. It’s a funny big hat with a flap at the back, and I played with it in my first year, and they thought it was kind of cool. And next year, I came and I rocked up on the first tee, and the two host families basically all had the hats on, and they had team Snyman on the back, and I nearly started crying before I did my tee shot. So that’s one of the reasons.”

He has also made the most of the opportunity to go flying fishing and jet boating.

He added: “I mean, it’s on my top three, if not … I’m an ocean guy, to be honest with you guys, but it’s top three for my of all time favourite places I’ve been. Just the natural beauty, the air. It’s just different here, and then obviously the fans, the golf course – we get a great turnout.”

Kazuki Higa picture playing last year.

The famous par-three 18^th, seen of some many close finishes, is another standout feature.

“This finishing hole is awesome. It reminds me a little bit about the Waste Management championship. It’s like a mini one of that. So yeah, and the weather, the weather’s been awesome,” he explains.

“We’re so used to playing in extreme heat in in Asia, so coming out here and just being at the ideal temperature is pretty special. So, yeah, there’s a lot of reasons, and probably a couple that I didn’t mention now.”

Both players shot 66s in the final round lead year, while Australian Jack Thompson stormed through with three birdies in the last five to join them in second.

Said Snyman: “I would definitely say that it was a fight out there the whole day. Obviously, we didn’t know what Ryan was doing behind us. We could peek on a scoreboard every now and then, but we were battling it out there, giving blow by blow, making birdies. We didn’t have many blemishes that day, which was nice. We were kind of feeding off each other. And I mean, we both had a chance coming down the stretch. We both had birdie putts on the last hole. I had a bit of a shorter one, and unfortunately, mine lipped out. But we’re back, and we’re gonna give it our best this year.”

Pictures courtesy Photosport.